Objective AS-OCT measurements of tear meniscus parameters following upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of upper eyelid blepharoplasty on objective ocular surface and tear meniscus parameters, including novel measurements obtained by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

METHODS

A prospective, single-center study was conducted on 102 eyes (51 patients) undergoing upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Outcome measures included the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Schirmer testing, and AS-OCT parameters: non-invasive anterior surface-tear breakup time (AS-TBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), tear meniscus depth (TMD), and tear meniscus area (TMA). Changes over time were analyzed using mixed-effects statistical models.

RESULTS

Within the first 10 days postoperatively, significant increases were observed in OSDI (β = 3.035; 95% CI 1.210-4.860; P = 0.001), TMD (Β = 69.717, p = 0.004), and TMA (Β = 37,377.94, p = 0.005). TMH showed a non-significant trend toward increase (p = 0.098). No statistically significant changes were detected in Schirmer testing or AS-TBUT. At > 10 to ≤ 30 days, > 30 to ≤ 50 days, and > 50 days, no statistically significant differences from the preoperative assessment were detected.

CONCLUSION

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty was associated with early increases in TMD, TMA, and OSDI, reflecting increased tear volume and ocular surface symptoms. No statistically significant changes were detected in tear-film stability or aqueous tear production. At later time points, no statistically significant differences from baseline were detected.